Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$138,900
Full-time annual
People employed
3,000
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Prepares detailed drawings and plans of mechanical engineering work in support of Mechanical Engineers and Engineering Technologists.
Alternative titles
Mechanical Designer
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Prepares detailed drawings and plans of mechanical engineering work
- Ensures plans and drawings of mechanical engineering work comply with industry standards and regulations
- Creates detailed blueprints that manufacturers can use for mass production of mechanical parts
- Uses CAD software and 3D printing to create models of mechanical parts, and specify product dimensions and quantity of materials needed
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
12%
Female rate
9%
Median age
43
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
401 projected jobs
to 2035
+13%
854 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 2
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Engineering Drafting
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Engineering - Toolmaking Trade
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Engineering
Specialised training
Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping
Specialised training
Graduate Diploma of Engineering
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
55
ACT · May 2026
2
VIC · May 2026
27
NT · May 2026
7
SA · May 2026
12
NSW · May 2026
46
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
787 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
787 employed
WA
-21.46%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South East
538 employed
WA
-23.47%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
270 employed
VIC
-12.62%
year on year
- 4
Australian Capital Territory
212 employed
ACT
+1.92%
year on year
- 5
Adelaide - North
207 employed
SA
+52.21%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
3,425
Moved in from another occupation
395
Moved to another occupation
320
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 313933
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.